Big Ten News and Notes

Big Ten News and Notes

By Eric Geier

ESPN to air OSU vs. USC game in 3-D

ESPN plans to air the OSU vs. USC game on three screens, in Columbus, Los Angeles and Dallas. The screening will mark just the third game in history to be shown in 3-D. ESPN will utilize seven cameras to broadcast the event. "The results of this research will enable ESPN to quantify what it takes to produce, transmit and enable the 3-D experience for our fans," said Anthony Bailey, ESPN's vice president of emerging technologies. Past airings of games, including the Florida vs. Oklahoma National Championship game in 3-D last year have been mired in difficulties and technical issues, but the overall effect has been tremendous, with positive reviews from viewers. Tickets to the 3-D showing will be given away to fans who listen to ESPN affiliates in the cities where the game will be showing.

Six Big Ten teams receive votes in Associated Press preseason poll

Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa cracked the top 25 in the AP preseason poll. Illinois and Michigan State received votes, but landed just outside the top 25 at 27 and 29 respectively. Northwestern was the final Big Ten team to receive media votes. The Big Ten is also only one of three conferences to have multiple teams in the top 10.

Michigan to use three quarterbacks in opener

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez announced that he will use three quarterbacks in the opening game against Western Michigan. Rodriguez will use Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson and Nick Sheridan. Rodriguez has given each quarterback the chance to steal the starting job, but he obviously doesn’t have his heart set on any single quarterback to run his system yet. Rodriguez is hoping that either freshman Forcier or Robinson will take the reigns and lead the team, after all, Rodriguez did recruit them to run his system.

Minnesota to face Greg Paulus and Syracuse in week 1

From the hardwood to the gridiron, basketball player turned quarterback Greg Paulus has worked his way into the starting quarterback position at Syracuse University, just months after announcing he would use his final year of NCAA eligibility to play football. Paulus was a tremendous quarterback in high school, was a Parade All-American, and could have played at a number of Division I schools. However, he decided to pass on football to play basketball at Duke University. Paulus will have his first test against a Gopher team that went 7-6 last year, including 0-2 vs. AP opponents.